[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2516]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             SEQUESTRATION

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely disappointed that the 
sequestration has taken effect because Republicans refused to work with 
Democrats on a balanced plan to prevent it.
  The automatic, arbitrary, and irrational cuts it has imposed could 
have, and I think will have, serious, negative effects. It could erode 
our military readiness and weaken our national security, and it could 
reverse the gains we've made in our economic recovery and see 
reductions in critical programs that help the poor and most vulnerable 
in our society.
  Sequestration is not a solution. Only a balanced approach can achieve 
the savings we need to get our fiscal house in order and end the 
uncertainty that is keeping our businesses from creating the jobs we 
need.
  It is not too late to act. This Republican-controlled Congress may 
not have been able to avert the sequester, but it can limit its impact 
if both sides work together. And I still believe that if Republicans 
are willing to compromise, we can achieve the big, balanced solution to 
deficits the American people expect from us.
  Today's vote is on whether you think sequester is rational. The next 
vote will be on keeping government open.

                          ____________________